Awesome Inspiration from CotedeTexas
27 May
This fabric is stunningly beautiful. I love how they used so much of it, not being afraid of overwhelming the room. This was truly the right move. Complimenting the fabric with solid fabrics elsewhere breaks-up all the pattern. A truly inspiring design.
Another beautiful pattern, this time on wallpaper. I love powder rooms with punch!
The opposite of pattern, this room is full of solid neutrals with luxe textures. A breath of fresh air.
Thanks CotedeTexas for all the inspiration today!
The Beauty of Down
18 Apr
Wondering why the sofas and beds in magazines and design shops always looks so inviting, comfortable, and beautiful? Well the answer is down. I have made it a rule to never by a sofa that isn’t a least part down filled. You need a little give to sink into your sofa and relax. Sofas completely filled with poly-foam core generally don’t give and some even push back. Who wants a sofa that pushes you around? I most certainly don’t! Now you might be thinking, “If I sink into my sofa, I might never be able to get out.” Well there are blend options that allow you to have the best of both worlds. The other worry I find most people have with down is that it is going to be more expensive and that is just not true. If you are a true shopper like myself, there are great sofas to be had out there that are down or down-blends that are actually less expensive than some poly-foam options. As far as down comforters go, well you can go to your nearest Ross or TJ-MAX and buy one for less than most other comforters. I guess what I am saying is… don’t settle! You too can have the beauty and comfort of down.
images via Cote De Texas
Country Living’s House of the Year (Living Room)
22 MarWatch this video on Country Living’s House of the Year. It is full of great ideas and inspiration!
A Noteworthy Makeover!
18 Feb
I have found a noteworthy makeover I had to share with you, from Willow Decor. I love the color scheme, the mixing of textures, and the flow between designated areas.
My favorite part of this entire room is the bench above. The burlap feedsack slipcover is divine! The key to the look above are the proportions of the chairs to the table. They are a perfect fit.
I love the mixture of the shiny metal on the pendants with the wooden stools and matte textures in the fabric on the chairs. This is a perfect way to mix texture.
I love the relaxing nature of this room. The architectural piece on the wall is an excellent substitute for something typical, while also creating depth and texture in the room. The only thing lacking is a larger rug, but I understand a work in progress.
I hope you liked the makeover and will go check out Willow Decor now for more great inspiration. It is one of my favorite blogs, for good reason!
The Canopy Bed for Timeless Tuesday
2 Feb
via StyleHive
Whether new and unique, or classically styled the canopy bed will always be around. The canopy bed is a classic that has lasted centuries. It has been used in royal homes, draped with heavy curtains for warmth and in tropical bungalows to keep out insects. A practical classic has maybe lost some of its practicality due to modern conveniences but it hasn’t left our homes, which leads me to believe that the canopy bed is worth mentioning for Timeless Tuesday. See Paula Grace Designs for more designers ideas of great classics to stick around.
via Cote De Texas
via Phoebe Howard
My Kitchen Inspiration
11 Jan
I am digging through my archive and posting all my favorite pics, room by room, to help me catalog design ideas for my new house. I don’t have my new house, but I have to get ready. So here are all my favorite kitchen pics I have saved in my archive. I love the chairs in the above pic and I love upholstered benches in kitchens. I also love the idea of using two mini chandeliers as pendants.
I love the pendants in this pic.
I love the corner bench in this kitchen.
The neutral tones in this kitchen are soothing. I also love the wall lamps above the shelving on the right.
This window seating is divine. I love the industrial look of the lighting in this kitchen.
The shelving with chicken wire is fabulous. I really want to do this is my kitchen!!
The open shelving in this kitchen is something I always seem drawn to. I just wonder about resale value. Hmmm?
This is one of my favorite kitchens of all! I love the industrial pendants and the gray cabinets with white dishes are fabulous. This is my ideal kitchen, so many ideas here.
Again a corner bench is great! I love the rustic floor in this kitchen too.
Fabulous bar stools!!
These two pics are another kitchen I have always loved. This is classic perfection. The curtains are so cottage chic, and the wing chairs are great (maybe not practical in white but beautiful). I love the box-pleat shades as pendants.
I love the shelving in this kitchen, such a great way to display all my beautiful dishes and accessories.
I always wonder what to do with the space above the cabinets. I love this idea of using large baskets. Having all the same baskets creates a restful clean look, and they are great for storage of items you don’t use a lot.
I’m not totally sold on this idea. It could turn out a little tacky is not done right. However, the picture of the dark table with blue chairs really does look great.
This is a very practical kitchen for me to recreate. I love the pots hanging on this wall. The lighting in this kitchen is so vintage chic. I love all the white as well!
Images via Cotedetexas, Things that Inspire, Pink Wallpaper, Willow Decor, Beautiful Things to Share, and Phoebe Howard
Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore Brown
2 OctJust when I thought I had had enough chocolate brown (I am truly sick of aqua and brown) I find this lovely picture via Things that Inspire. This is chocolate brown done right. It is all about elegance, balance, and soft contrasts. The mistake most people have made with the whole “aqua and brown craze” is using an aqua that is too bright and a brown that is too rich. This mistake in combination with having everything in the room be aqua and brown is sooo overdone. This room is a perfect example of a soft neutral brown being perfectly complimented with soft neutrals tones of beige, cream, and gray. The key to the beauty in this room is the easy flow. There are no shocking color contrasts and all the neutrals have a “gray undertone” which makes them cool and relaxing.
![amydmorris_090316_044final_thumb[1]](http://designfabulous.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/amydmorris_090316_044final_thumb1.jpg?w=490 "amydmorris_090316_044final_thumb[1]")
Fabulous Kitchens
19 May
I saved the best for last. Everyone’s favorite room, the kitchen, is the hub of the home. If the kitchen isn’t right, it effects that rest of the house. We hang out in the kitchen, cook, celebrate, we do so many things in the kitchen. Read my post about how to design a functional kitchen in the archives, this is a long article that hashes out all the ins and outs of this fabulous room. Here I just wanted to show you some fabulous kitchens to get ideas from. Enjoy!
![Brunschwig_&_Fils_toile_thumb[2]](http://designfabulous.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/brunschwig__fils_toile_thumb2.jpg?w=490 "Brunschwig_&_Fils_toile_thumb[2]")
Fabulous Offices
18 May
It was difficult to find pictures of really fabulous, well designed home offices. Are we neglecting our offices people? Well, I don’t blame you really, the office is one of my sore spots when it comes to designing my house, and my clients homes are well. We want it to do so many different things…store stuff, have adequate desk space, hide all the many cords, look pretty, be well lite…so here were my really great office finds, the similarity here is that they are all functional, but yet have elements in them that make them feel inviting and not just a cluttered office. Pick your favorite color for the walls, hang a beautiful piece of artwork on the walls, have beautiful window treatments and a comfy chair, all great ideas to make you want to do your work.
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